“I’m always excited when the cup comes around because, for teams outside of the Old Firm, it is the best chance of silverware,” he said. “It’s still a long, hard road to get there and we are only at the start of it with a very hard tie, but we are looking forward to tonight.”

And, when he tells his players what is required, Craig will point to what happened at Ibrox on Saturday before old bad habits led to defeat.

“For half-an-hour, I got the reaction I wanted after Falkirk and we played very well. Tonight, it is about doing that for 90 minutes and giving ourselves a good chance of setting up a tie at Inverness. We’ll be boosted by having Lee Mair and particularly Barry Robson available, and I will be looking for an improvement from those who played at Ibrox.”

Home fans will also get their first look at Irish striker Jon Daly — Sean Dillon was not signed in time for this round — but he will not be partnered by top scorer Noel Hunt.

“Noel was really only doing us a favour coming on against Rangers and there is no way he is ready for a full game. I think it will be a couple of weeks before he is and the most we can expect from him right now is probably 20 minutes.”

Meanwhile, although defender Lee Wilkie cannot be considered tonight because he was still out on loan at Ross County last week when the tie was originally scheduled, he could be in contention for a place at Kilmarnock on Saturday.

“Lee’s definitely coming on and, as it’s no secret I have not been happy with the defending, he will be competing if he is doing well,” he added.

Supporters tonight will be handed a voucher worth up to £10 off the cost of next term’s season ticket. Alternatively, fans can use the voucher to gain a £5 reduction at the next home SPL game against Dunfermline.

Just yesterday Deasley put pen to paper on a fresh deal that ties him to Dens Park until 2009, but, while that gives him the security he was looking for, he knows only performances will guarantee him a first-team place.

The arrival on loan of Kevin Smith from Sunderland and Rangers’ youngster Bob Davidson on a permanent deal last week means competition for places is stiff.

However, with both ineligible for the replay and Deasley set to return after a hamstring strain, he knows he has the chance to stake his claim first.

“I was very pleased when the manager came to speak to me about extending my deal because I have had a few injuries this season and I thought he might wait a while before offering me anything,” he said.

“It was good to know I’m wanted and it would be great if I could repay the favour with a goal that helps us through against Queen of the South.

“That would not do me any harm, because, with the two new boys arriving and the players who are already here, there is a lot of competition and we know we will have to be playing well to stay in the team.”

Deasley is also aware that it will take a strong team performance to get the better of the Doonhamers and set up a fourth-round clash with either Cowdenbeath or Brechin at Dens.

“They are a much harder team to play against on their own pitch and we’ve really struggled against them down there — pretty much everyone in the First Division has.

“The way the draw has worked out, the winners will fancy their chances in the next round, but we have to take care of business in this game first and, if we win, we wouldn’t under-estimate Cowdenbeath or Brechin.”

Boss Alex Rae is not looking that far ahead and all his thoughts are on what he expects to be a bruising encounter.

“They will really fancy their chances after holding us in the first game at Dens, but it is up to us to handle them. The boys have been buzzing in training and it is up to them to take that on to the pitch.”

As well as Deasley, Kevin McDonald and Gary Smith have returned to the squad after injury and suspension.

Meanwhile, left-back Goran Stanic suffered a leg knock in Saturday’s 3-2 league loss away to Livingston.

He should, however, be fit enough for tomorrow night’s replay away to Ayr United.